CALGARY — Chris Severson-Baker, Alberta director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the national methane reduction goal released today:
“We are thrilled to see the prime minister announce a national methane reduction target for the oil and gas sector. This announcement demonstrates the federal government’s willingness to coordinate provincial and territorial action toward a nation-wide methane reduction goal for Canada's oil and gas sector by 2017.
“When implemented, this commitment will represent a tangible step forward on emissions reduction in Canada. Today’s announcement builds upon the Government of Alberta’s methane reduction commitment made in November 2015, as well as last week’s commitment from Premier Clark to align B.C.’s efforts with Alberta.
“The target announced today is achievable with current technologies and practices, and represents a cost-effective emissions reduction opportunity in the oil and gas sector. Recent analysis has shown that a 45 per cent cut in methane emissions from Canada’s oil and gas sector could be achieved at an average cost of $2.76 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent.”
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Contact
Chris Severson-Baker
Alberta Director
403-899-7423
Kelly O’Connor
Communications Lead
416-220-8804
Background
- In 2012, methane emissions in the Canadian oil and gas sector were 45 Mt.
- Based on analysis by ICF International, a 45 per cent reduction in methane emissions from Canada’s oil and gas sector could be achieved with existing technologies at an average cost of $2.76 per tonne of CO2e.
- The federal government announced a sector-by-sector approach to regulating greenhouse gas emissions in 2010. In 2015, it announced it would align action on methane with the United States. At no time did the federal government release methane regulations for the oil and gas sector in final or draft form.
- Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan committed to a 45 per cent reduction levels by 2025 and a 5-year voluntary Joint Initiative on Methane Reduction and Verification. This will include Alberta industry, environmental groups and Indigenous communities and be tasked with taking action on venting and fugitive emissions from existing facilities. These voluntary approaches will be backstopped by regulated mandatory standards in 2020 to ensure that the 2025 target is met.
- B.C.’s Climate Leadership Team recommended that the province reduce methane emissions by 40 per cent below 2015 levels by 2021.
Report: Economic Analysis of Methane Emission Reduction Opportunities in the Canadian Oil and Natural Gas Industries (October 2015)
Report: Alberta climate panel submission (October 2015)
Op-ed: Globe and Mail: The critical emissions target missing from the climate debate (December 2015)
Blog: California gas leak should spur Canada to get methane emissions under control (January 2016)